Back to School Lucky Charm Crafts for Nervous Children

Young children are often nervous about starting back to school or starting school for the first time. Use the last few weeks of summer to make some lucky charms your child can take to school to ward off the nervousness and fear of starting something new. These simple back to school crafts are cheap and provide a fun activity for families before the end of summer.

Young children, especially those starting Kindergarten and going away from home for the first time, are usually nervous about being away from mom and dad all day. If your child is used to staying home with a stay at home parent, it may be harder on them to make the initial back to school transition. Even if your child is a little older, changing schools or moving can make them nervous.

The first lucky charm you and your children can make is a simple craft to keep the family available in their pocket at any time. Choose a favorite photo of mom, dad, the whole family, grandpa or whomever in the family your child will miss the most. Resize the photo using Photoshop or a picture machine at a photo store so it is less than four inches wide. Make a print on a home photo printer or at the photo store. Next, glue the small photo on a piece of patterned paper in your child's favorite colors. Cut out the photo leaving a tiny colored border, about ¼ inch, around the photo. Laminate the photo charm at a printing store or by purchasing do-it-yourself laminating sheets. This will protect the photo from water and wear and tear damage.

On the first day of school, present your child with the photo and explain how it is a lucky charm. Any time your child misses mom or dad, they can take the photo out of their pocket. Use this opportunity to tell your child how much you love and think about them all day.

Sometimes, young children worry about leaving a favorite pet behind at home while they are at school all day. Check your local pet store for photo keychains or pet collar charms designed to hold small photos of your pet. Look for a keychain with bones, dead fish, hearts, or any pet theme your child will like. The most common are dog and cat themed pet keychains. If your child's favorite friend isn't furry, but scaly you have to get creative to find a keychain with an appropriate theme. Look for something small your child can easily fit in their pocket. Then have a photo of your child's pet, or your child with their pet, resized to fit in the keychain.

If your child can read, a simple Bible verse or other inspirational quote may be the kind of charm they need to get them through a rough day. Choose an inspirational quote, a favorite saying of family or friends, or verses from your family's religious materials to remind your child of the values you instill in them each day. Look for words to remind your child to stay peaceful, how God will help them through a troubled day, to pray when they are scared, or to always try their best in everything they day. If your family is not religious, a simple "I love you. Remember to always try your best!" from mom or dad is also a good charm. Use a permanent marker or paint pen with a fine point to write the chosen words on a small, flat rock no more than four inches long. You can find great rocks at craft stores. Then coat the rock with a coat of clear nail polish to seal the words on. Give your child the stone and tell them they should take it out and read it whenever they are scared or worried or have a bad day.